Apryl Natalie Foster

Apryl Natalie Shackelford Foster, age 33, from Brandon, Florida went missing on Thursday, February 12, 2015. The City of Tampa and the world embraced her as they desperately searched for her. She was found on Sunday, February 22, 2015 after having a tragic car accident. Apryl was born on March 1, 1981 in Lincoln, Nebraska. She graduated from Gretna High School in Gretna, Nebraska in 1999 where she received many vocal awards. She attended the University of Wyoming. Apryl moved to Ft. Myers, Florida in 2003 working at the Lani Kai Hotel and Resort, as a professional vocalist and entertainment director for over ten years. Singing on the beach was a special joy to Apryl, as she entertained thousands of vacationers and locals during her time at Ft. Myers Beach. In 2010 Apryl and her former husband, Shawn Foster were married in a famous “Star Wars” wedding ceremony. Apryl always enjoyed singing since childhood, and competed in singing competitions across the United States, while winning The American Idol Experience Competition at Disney in Orlando, Florida in 2012. After moving to Tampa, Apryl was hired by the Richard Gonzmart family as they opened their new restaurant, Ulele’s in Tampa Heights. There she was involved in the training of servers and wait staff, as well as being a server, becoming affectionately known to many, as “Little Mom” or the girl with the Princess Leia Star War hair buns. She had set a personal goal to help the Gonzmart family open up their next restaurant. She loved to sing karaoke in Ybor and spending time in that area of town. Her three amazing cats “the ladies”, which she loved as much as any mother would their children, were always a source of constant joy and blessing to Apryl. Apryl will be remembered for her great sense of humor, her incredible crafting and design abilities, her talented writing skills, and her amazing singing, described by one of her follower’s as the” voice of an angel” but most of all for her radiant smile. Apryl will be remembered for her love and compassion for others and her unwavering allegiance to encourage and help those who were in need, who crossed the paths of her life. On her last night, a surveillance tape shows her stopping to give assistance to a street person. No one to unimportant to stop and encourage was her creed. She will truly be missed by her family, friends, co-workers and especially her mom and dad.

Apryl is survived by her, parents, Rev. Craig and Peggy Beman of Stephenville, Texas; grandmother Eileen Beman, of Valentine, Nebraska; sister and brother-in-law, Lisa and Christopher Walker of Omaha, Nebraska; aunt and uncle Dru and Ken Sypal, of Lincoln, Nebraska; uncle David Beman, of Valentine, Nebraska;, uncle Scott Beman, of St. Joseph, Missouri, plus several cousins and Shawn Foster, former husband of Tampa, FL. Rachel and Jessica Swafford, friends closer than sisters plus the Gonzmarts and the Ulele’s staff that she also considered to be precious family.

A Service to Celebrate Her Life will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2014, at 8:30 a.m.on the green behind The Ulele Restaurant in Tampa Heights, Florida. A memorial fund has been established for a Tampa Heights Aboretum Project to continue enhancing the landscape of the Tampa Heights riverfront area that she loved so much. At this time proceeds can be sent to Apryl Foster Memorial % of Craig & Peggy Beman at 270 West College St, Stephenville, TX 76401.

Arrangements under the direction of Blount & Curry FH-Carrollwood, TAMPA, FL.